Postcard from the Railway Express Agency, Uvalde, TX.
You are notified that 1 trunk forwarded by you on 12-9 1938 addressed to Elvira White 267 N. Grove St. Uvalde Tex., charges $5.93 remains in this office undelivered because no funds to pay charges.
Storage began 12-19-38 at rate of .50ยข per mo.
May 31, 1939
Apparently Madie’s sister wasn’t able to pay the shipping on the trunk after all. I have no additional paperwork about this, but assume that Walter and Ina picked up the tab.
Uvalde, Tex.
Nov 5 – 1938.
Mr. & Mrs. Dove,
I am just coming to my self after the shock of my sister Mada. Don’t seem like it is true. We are so sad. When you called over the phone Sunday morning and said she was sick, I knew she must have been low sick then, so I began to worry and cry. Sent my mother a telegram in New Mexico. Could not find her so the next day which was Monday, I sent a special to one of my friends asking for her to find Mother for me and tell her Mada was low sick. So just as I mailed the letter and come back home, the telegram boy came. I opened it and just saw the word died, and it like to killed me, just made me sick.
November 5, 1938 (from Elvira White)
I prayed so hard for her to get well, but the Lord’s will was done. She was my sweet sister. I loved her so much, and my children was just crazy about her. Just don’t know what we are going to do without her. We are full of sorrow. Had letters from friends in San Antonio and said they were crying about Mada. Oh, she was so sweet we’ll never forget her. She will always cling in my heart as long as I live. When my mother did get the news, it made her sick, and she is not feeling so well now.
Mr. and Mrs. Dove, I want to let you know that we highly appreciate your kind deeds, and all the good you did for Mada, when she was sick. God will bless you some day, after we read your letter we understand that you done your best to save her. We feel like it is true. Oh, she could have been saved if she would let some one know her trouble. Poor child, maybe she didn’t know she was in that fix. I am sure.
I am sure you all were out of lots of money, if I was just able to pay some of that. She did not have any insurance in Uvalde. She did have at one time, but she got out of it. When she was in S.A. she joined the Tennessee insurance. It is found in the Travis Building in S.A. but if she didn’t keep it up, well she will not get any thing at all. Did you look in her room? Well, the Tennessee man will be in Uvalde next week and I will ask all about it. If there is any money in it, you will get it. We will be glad to do that. I will see what I can do about it and let you know at once. Mada looked so sweet, you had her fixed up so nice, and that made us feel so good. You and Dr. Dove have been highly praised by all, white and black, for the shipment of Mada’s body, and has been highly appreciated by the entire family. Her father took the bill over when the body arrived. Don’t know for sure just what it cost. Let me know what you all’s bill was in your next letter.
I will look for Mada’s clothes when you have time to get them together, and send to me. Did she have a trunk? She said she was paying on a coat, did she ever get it out? Mrs. Dove when you send the trunk charge on this end and I will pay it out. I feel like you all have done more than your part. I will always remember you and Dr. Dove, also pray that you will have good luck all your days. When you are in Uvalde let me know, I’ll come to see you.
Wish I could take Mada’s place with you all. Talk about me to your little boys so they will know me. Maybe that I can help you in some way. I always enjoy talking with your mother.
Answer soon,
Elvira White
267 N. Grove St.
Uvalde, Tex.
Sadly but unsurprisingly, Madie’s TB took a turn for the worse, and she died shortly after diagnosis. Walter and Ina covered her funeral expenses and arranged to have her body shipped home to Uvalde, TX. The document collage below tells the story.
October 25, 1938
“Postal Telegraph – The International System”
DALLAS TEX 22 437P
DR W E DOVE
RIVERLAND TERRACE R F D NO 1 CHARLESTON SCAR
DOCTOR GIVEN MRS LAAKE UP BRAIN TUMOR MATTER OF HOURS
CUSHING
Stamp: “Phoned Mr. Dove 6:05″
April 22, 1932
Thursday A.M.
My dear Sweetheart,
Arrived here yesterday afternoon. Was caught in a rain below Waco. Spent the night at Grande Court. Account of storm thought that I could not do much work at Wortham so returned to Dallas. Found everything OK at the house. Mrs. Chamberlain saw that the tornado killed one of their uncles at Routh. Both Mr. & Mrs. Chamberlain have relatives and friends there. They lived there before coming to Dallas. Mr. Laake is in Menard. Mr. Smith is at the office. Mr. Sommier is chewing and smiling as usual. I am trying to finish the Babcock manuscript before I tackle the thesis paper.
Hope all of you are getting along OK.
With love,
Walter.
May 8, 1930
The Mackay System – Postal Telegraph – Commercial Cables
ROXIE MISS 13
W E DOVE
CARE BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY DALLAS TEX
PAPA DIED LAST NIGHT WIRE ME HAMBURG WHEN EXPECT TO ARRIVE WAITING FOR YOU
REVA DOVE.
October 13, 1928
Obituary
T.W. Dove Dies Suddenly
T.W. Dove, aged 61, substantial resident of Franklin county for more than forty years, died of an illness of the heart, at his home near Hamburg, Mississippi at 3:00 A.M., October 13, 1928. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. T.W. Dove and three children, Revah Dove of Hamburg, Mrs. W.M. Prince of Philadelphia, Miss., Walter E. Dove of Dallas, Texas, two brothers and two sisters, E.B. Dove of Roxie, Miss. and Rev. J.C. Dove of Baskin. La., Mrs. W.M. Womack of Quentin, Miss. and Mrs. J.M. Gill of Little Springs Miss. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Eugene Farr and Rev. W.A. Green, at Hamburg Baptist church and the remains entered at Williams cemetery, Hamburg.
Box 208,
Dallas, Texas,
Sept. 28, 1928.
Mrs. Lilly May Adams,
Mart, Texas.
My dear Mrs. Adams:
I am in receipt of your kind letter, and also the letter from Lorraine. The fountain pen was received, and I wish to thank you for returning it.
September 28, 1928
I regret that we were unable to stop at Mart and visit with you. Since we shall probably go to Uvalde quite often it is likely that at some other time we can have this privilege and pleasure.
A list was made of Frank’s books, and I carried this to the book store of the Southern Methodist University. From the list about 8 or 9 books were checked by the dealer, which indicated that such books were in use in the University at the present time. A large number of Frank’s books are not used by students at the present time, due to revisions in editions, but all of them are nice reference books. I carried the books to Dr. Geiser’s laboratory, and we discussed the matter. In the talk with him I learned that he would be pleased to have the books donated to the library of the university. Some of them could be donated to the library of the Department of Zoology, and others to the general library. If you cared to give the books to them I am sure that they would serve a most useful purpose. It is the custom of libraries to indicate by sicker or otherwise that the books were donated, and by whom, and I believe that this would be an appropriate way to render service to students in the University and to remind them of a character who exemplified a good student.
If you care to give the books to the University I would appreciate it if you would communicate such information to Dr. Geiser.
Yesterday I sent to you by express a box containing Kodak pictures and such other personal effects which Frank left at our laboratory. I trust that these will reach you promptly and in good condition.
Before I left Uvalde a pair of Frank’s glasses were shown to Mr. L.B. Russell, the man in whose home Frank was rooming. Mr. Russell indicated that he would like to buy the glasses. I am writing him today, and will ask him to communicate with you, giving the price he is willing to pay for them. Should you want them returned he will be glad to send them to you.
With kindest personal regards to yourself and other members of the family, I am
Sincerely,
W.E. Dove,
Assoc. Entomologist.
Box 509, Uvalde, Texas,
August 26, 1928.
Mrs. Lily May Adams,
Mart, Texas,
My dear Mrs. Adams,
I am in receipt of your kind letters regarding my personal expense in the affairs of Frank’s. There is no charge for anything that I have looked after for you.
August 26, 1928
At the time I made out Frank’s expense account I was under the impression that I could pay the expense for his meals and lodging and for laundry from August 1st to the 4th inclusive, and that I could turn in the receipts on my expense account. I have learned that this cannot be entered on my expenses. Therefore, I have made out his account on another blank and I have added the items to it. You will find the account enclosed herewith, and you will note that it calls for $80.93. The account which you mailed to Dr. F.C. Bishopp, Bureau of Entomology, Washington, D.C. was in the amount of $73.43. The difference of $7.50 is accounted for by the enclosed receipts. If you will swear to the account just as you did on the other copy, and mail it to Dr. Bishopp with the enclosed receipts it will be substituted for the account which you have already sent. Within about three weeks you should receive a check for the new amount.
I have no charges to make except the check which I replaced with mine, and for the $7.50 for which I have added to the new account. If my memory is correct the check was $16.21 and the $7.50 would make a total of $23.71. If you care to send me a check for this amount, my address will be Camp Wood, Texas, care of General Delivery, during next week.
The expense of the undertaker here can rest until Mr. Parman has instructions from the government. He will write you when he has heard from the claim. I understand that he is attending to Mr. Littlepate’s charge also. I hope that the charges can be paid for by the government.
When I return to Dallas I shall make a list of Frank’s books which he left at our laboratory. If you care to sell them, I believe that they can be disposed of at S.M.U. I shall talk to you about them when I return the car. It will be about the 15th of September.
With kindest personal regards, I am
Sincerely,
Walter E. Dove.
Walter and Ina are together now, and therefore not writing letters to each other, so I’ll be posting some work- and family-related correspondence to and from them during this period.
Uvalde, Texas, Box 509
August 16, 1928.
Dr. F.C. Bishopp,
Bureau of Entomology.
Dear Dr. Bishopp,
Enclosed you will find a copy of a letter I have just written to Mr. S.J. Miles, Miles Furniture Co., Corsicana, Texas. I made up the expense account of the late Frank Adams, and on the last portion of the account I furnished a sworn statement regarding the account. There is a small item of expense for lodging and meals amounting to $6.50 which I intend to submit on my account. The amount covers the period of August 1st to the 4th, when the accident occurred. I presume that it can be handled on my account provided an explanation accompanies it.
August 16, 1928
Mr. Sonnier arrived yesterday afternoon and will work with me for a few weeks. We have some mighty interesting studies on the goat louse survey, but it is a little early to draw conclusions. When herds are located which have not been dipped, we do not find L. stenopsis. We find the blue louse on young animals and on old animals which are dipped occasionally. As yet I have not found herds which had been dipped at short intervals. Many of them are dipped two or three times between shearings, but with intervals which are too long to obtain control of L. stenopsis. One dipping is fairly effective for both T. hermsi and T. climax. The protozoan found in L. stenopsis could be a commensual in T. hermsi and T. climax. This phase is one to be worked later. At the present time I am fixing lice for sections and I trust that these can be made upon my return to Dallas. The pathogenic organism of L. stenopsis should be demonstrated in sections. I have hopes of culturing it in vitro so that a further demonstration can be made of the effectiveness in control.
We shall have other need for a microtome. I have some tissue from shedding goats. We have the tissue obtained by Mr. Adams, and may have additional tissue of this nature. The Spencer Rotary should serve our needs, but I would like to have you talk with Dr. White about it. The chances are that others will use this machine and I should like for others to help select it.
At the present time the microtome and an extra knife should be ordered. I shall need a small oven, but we can get this when I return to Dallas. The large one cannot be regulated satisfactorily, but can be used for infiltrating. The smaller one would be needed for culturing.
Yesterday I wired you regarding Mr. Roberts. I do not want you to think that I am interfering with your business. I have no desire to do so. It occurred that Mr. Roberts might be in Uvalde until he can be appointed in the grade of assistant. Mr. Roberts was reared in this section and in a letter to me he expressed a desire to be in Uvalde. He would work here for the amount you could pay him. I would like to see Mr. Roberts in our service if it is at all possible to keep him. My interest in the thing is for the good of the service, whether it is a question of keeping a good man or discharging a poor one. I know that Mr. Roberts could get the tissue which we wanted Mr. Adams to obtain. He could continue the experiments on the amount of tissue used by larvae in their development. Mr. Adams had a method of extracting fluid from larvae with a saline and he then diluted this to a normal salt solution. With this he was making some injections to see if immunity could be established. He was testing for toxic effects also. It might be well to reserve the tests for toxicity until the B.A.I. can cooperate. Mr. Parman favors such cooperation on the toxicity tests. Mr. Roberts would have plenty to do in getting the tissue and in studying the amount of tissue consumed.
Very truly yours,
Walter E. Dove
Associate Entomologist.
STATEMENT OF W.E. DOVE, WITNESS TO ACCIDENT OF FRANK ADAMS. Supplement to Form C.A. 2 Question 44
Uvalde, Texas, August 10, 1928.
August 4, 1928
Mr. Frank Adams was a personal friend and an associate of the undersigned in research work for the Bureau of Entomology, U.S. Department of Agriculture. On the morning of August 4th, Mr. Adams and I started to Con Can, Texas to conduct some experimental work on parasites of Angora goats. On account of the flood waters of the Frio river we were compelled to return. On our way back we intended to call at the ranch of Mr. A.F. Dismuke. We met Mr. Dismuke on the road and were informed that heavy rains had fallen also in the upper portion of the Dry Frio river. We were advised to go to Uvalde and to return to the ranch on the following Monday. When we reached the Dry Frio crossing, the road contained about six to twelve inches of water. Both Mr. Adams and I felt that we could drive across safely. On the upper side of the road we could not see any water. On that side the high weeds and brush appeared normal. We started across the Dry Frio in high gear, but near the center of the stream the engine suddenly stalled. Even though the water was rising rapidly we managed to get out of the car. Mr. Adams made a swimming plunge toward the south side. This was the last I saw of Mr. Adams. In a wall of water I was carried down stream with a force which was sufficient to break down a barbed wire fence. I made four attempts before I could catch to the top of one of the small trees. The fourth one was stable enough to support me and to allow me to partly overcome exhaustion. From this tree I could look up the stream but could see nothing of Mr. Adams. Releasing my grip from this small tree I was able to catch a hackberry tree and from this position I was able to stay above the water line and to call for help. The water came down about 11.30 A.M. My calls for help were answered by Mr. Pfeifer about two o’clock. Mr. Pfeifer secured aid from Uvalde, and about four o’clock I was rescued from the tree by the aid of a rope.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter E. Dove
Associate Entomologist.